Previews show the merge happening next episode. I predict that “Special Agent” Phillip gets relieved of duty since the other three on his tribe don’t like him. This will still leave the Favorites with a 7 - 4 advantage.
I think it’s clear that they all just tolerate Phillip and let him play his role as long as it doesn’t hurt them.
If the merge takes place at the beginning of next week there will be 8 Favs to 4 Fans.
If Malcom is serious about his secret alliance with Reynold and Eddie, and Corinne is still attached to Michael, that leaves one easy expendable — Sherry.
The real test will be the following week as FavCorinne will want to protect Fan Michael, FavMalcom will want to protect Fans Eddie and Reynold, but the other Favs [who did not see Malcom and Reynold shaking hands on the beach, and who the camera operators didn’t subsequently tell] — Brenda, Andrea, Cochran, Dawn, and Phillip will push to vote out one of those three.
That is when the S will H the F and the Favs begin to realize that something is afoot and we find out if the alpha male alliance of MalcomEricReynoldEddie is for real.
That’s my take FWIW